Second Sunday after Epiphany
We find that the Gospels also speak of other times when the time was not right. On another occasion, Jesus him Himself from those who would do Him harm because His hour had not yet come. As God, Jesus could have performed His miracles, and redeemed us all at once, but for our benefit, He has spread them out over time so that we would not be confused or misled by all these events. On this occasion, of His first miracle, we see that He did not have all of the Apostles with Him yet. We see that the people at the wedding feast did not yet know that they were out of wine, nor had they approached Him for help. So the hour had not yet come.
Because His mother asked this of Him, Jesus shows that He is God and He prepares the hour so that this miracle will produce the effects that He desired. Jesus could have simply created wine from nothing and no one would have been the wiser, but then no one would know or appreciate the magnificent gift that God had given them. The servants therefore were made witness to the situation and the miracle. Mary had instructed them to do whatever Jesus says. He first instructed them to fill the six stone water jars with water. There was no doubt in the minds of the servants who drew the water from the well that it was nothing but water in the stone jars. It was these same servants that now drew wine out of the jars and presented it to the chief steward. The servants had not been drinking, nor had the chief steward. It was their duty to ensure that all was well in the celebration therefore, they were the best able to discern both the miracle and the quality of the wine produced.
We find that when God grants us a miracle, it is always of the best. This wine that came forth from the water was therefore, the best of wine. Without ostentation, but humbly and simply Jesus performed His first public miracle and allowed it to be seen and known, so that the greatest good could come from it. Jesus shows us the great influence that He gave His mother over Him. We should therefore eagerly seek the intercession of Mary in all our needs, with the faith and conviction that anything she asks of Him, He will do. Also, we behold that Jesus is not subject to His creature (time), but rather that time is subject to Him. He changed the hour that had not come, into the appropriate time, simply so that He could show us that He is God, and to show us His love for His mother and us.
Jesus manifested His power, and His power was seen and acknowledged by those whose testimony could not be questioned. We see in this first public miracle, the symbolism and preparation for an even greater miracle; the institution and continuance of the miracle of the Holy Eucharist. Water was changed into wine, in the Holy Eucharist wine is changed into His Body and Blood.
Water is symbolic of the weakness of our fallen human nature. Wine represents to us the spiritual strength that is imparted to us through Jesus Christ. The Fathers of the Church suggest to us that the six stone jars of water represent the various trials and tribulations that are present to those who enter into marriage. In this first miracle of Christ, we see that He has elevated marriage from a natural union, to the level of a Sacrament and therefore a spiritual union. In this manner, the trials and tribulations of the water are strengthened and changed into comforting, and consoling joys.
It is in the power of God to transform every trial or tribulation into great joy and consolation. God is ever ready to do this for each one of us. The easiest and most direct way to obtain this tremendous grace from Him is to present ourselves humbly and meekly to His mother. If we can simply get Mary to ask Him, He will make everything good. Jesus has invited us many times not to fear the cross or the trials and tribulations of this life. He has invited us to take up our cross daily and come follow Him. If we willingly and lovingly humbly take up our daily cross, we will find that the waters of tribulation are transformed into the wine of consolation and joy. Where we were once like water and weak, we now become strengthened like the wine. We learn with St. Paul, that we can do all things in Him who strengthens us.
Quite often in our lives, the time is not right for us to have our crosses lifted, but if we bow ourselves humbly before God and accept His will (Father, not My will but Thine be done.) we find that He will also make the appropriate hour to come to us. He can make all things work for the good of those who love Him. Let us learn from the example of Mary, who obtained her desires from God, because she loves Him. Perhaps even more importantly, let us learn to implore the assistance of His mother, so that God will create the necessary time for us to receive His graces, and then bestow upon us the best gifts that He has to offer.